<div center 50%>
| <-[[04 A Frosty Diversion]]  |  [[06 Division of Labour]]-> |
</div>

====== 05 Back at the Mines ======

===== April 4 South Gate =====

When the party came close to the [[South Gate]], [[Veelas]] cast invisibility on [[Tyro]] who went on scouting. He came back with two dwarves and a half-orc. They were captured and were going to be taken to the mines for forced labor or sacrifice. Unfortunately [[Tyro]] killed all guards, so there was no one to be interrogated. The party agreed to wait until dusk and disguised as riding party enter the mines. [[Tyro]], [[Smike]] and [[Krulla]] were “prisoners” and others wore black robes pretending to be in the service of one of the temples.
The disguise indeed made their way in, but [[Dunrat]] spotted the orange colour of one of the “prisoners”. (Needless to say it was [[Smike]], the old acquaintance of his.) He would have been better off if he pretended he didn’t n notice it. [[Veelas]] summoned the ape that ripped poor [[Dunrat]] apart and rest of the party slain others with ease.

[[Dunrat]] had two letters.
<div round box>
Your willingness to oversee the excavation and rebuilding of the ruined [[Air Temple]] is appreciated. Remain diligent in the guarding of the [[South Gate]]! Our agents in [[Hommlet]] have reported that a Bitch of [[Jaanus]] has undone the efforts of the [[Lilac Masks]], and the orange whoreson again walks amongst the living. May the [[Dark Lord]] swallow his soul! This meddlesome gnome and his associates have become an irritating distraction. Slay them on sight. If these intruders are acting on their own accord as you believe, all the better. If not, then [[Tessimon]] should learn to be more cunning.

-- Master [[Hederack]]
</div>

<div round box>
February 17th

[[Dunrat]],

I believe your assessment that the intruders are acting on their own accord and are not a part of any Temple intrigue to be correct. If this is so, we must determine what they know. If the intruders return you are to capture them and bring them to me. I would prefer them to retain their strength so my interrogation of them will be interesting. However, do not let them escape at any cost. You need not trouble Master [[Hederack]] any more about this issue any longer. He agrees that their souls shall soon be shred into the [[Blessed Oblivion]] and that I am to handle it.
Do not disappoint me.

-- Master [[Varachan]]
</div>

Though there was certain rivalry among the [[Dark Lord]]’s servants, they were all faithful and loyal to him and to their great cause.

[[Veelas]] made himself invisible and was just about to scout ahead, when [[Krulla]] volunteered to join. Having no appetite to argue with the dwarf and loose the spell he made him invisible as well and hoped for some silent walk. Fortunately there was no one to hear barbarian‘s “silent” walk. They discovered the giant that was supervising reconstruction of the [[Air Temple]]. A dwarf slave was pulling the cart full of rubble. [[Krulla]] unchained him and they decided to use disguise once again and try to pass the giant.

In the meantime [[Pthia]] established the zone of truth around the only guard that was captured alive. But after interrogating him for a moment she suddenly turned to [[Smike]].

“Why did you bring us here? What are your real intentions?” 

[[Smike]] was caught off-guard, but quickly pulled himself together and started wriggling. He avoided direct answer to [[Pthia]]’s questions about whether he’s hiding something from others until he was sure that the effect of spell expired. It was just in time.
[[Tyro]], who looked very nervous lately, became totally impatient. He was supposed to put the prisoner asleep, but instead he broke his neck. Not usual for a monk of his experience. Another matter for [[Pthia]] to investigate, when she was interrupted by [[Veelas]] and [[Krulla]] coming with freed dwarf. [[Tyro]] was scratching a tattoo on his arm and looked really strange.

They decided to sneak to the giant using the cart. [[Thacia]] and [[Smike]] would hide in the cart and [[Krulla]] would push it, pretending he was the dwarf slave. Others followed behind.
The giant didn’t buy it and [[Smike]] tried to negotiate the pass trough. 

However [[Thacia]] detected evil and shouted “I’ll never make a deal with evil” and started shooting arrows.

[[Krulla]] immediately joined the battle letting the cart rolling down the slope. [[Smike]] and [[Thacia]] were too busy with brakes and jumping out to join the fun. (Actually [[Thacia]] pulled [[Smike]] out, for the cart wall was too high for him to climb.)
When they turned back they found the giant ripped apart by [[Veelas]]’ apes.

“You must be more careful [[Veelas]]” [[Pthia]] told him, “If you continue summoning evil creatures, you’ll become evil yourself.”

“Perhaps I don’t bloody care!”

Off they went to the [[Air Temple]] finding no more resistance. [[Thacia]] asked [[Pthia]] to identify the sphere. All she could explain was that it was a [[Spirit Sphere]] used to control undead, but they failed to disable it.

They continued west and after brief encounter with orcs they decided to rest in the rope trick.

===== April 5 =====

[[Tyro]] seemed even more nervous after the rest. Maybe killing orcs started bothering him or it was something else. 

They continued west- northwest until they found the locked door.
Needless to say [[Krulla]] knocked (it down) and they faced number of guards. [[Smike]] fried most of them with fireballs; luckily [[Krulla]] was too slow to get in his way. The ladies tried to capture last guard that stayed alive, but after they failed a couple of attempts [[Veelas]] lost his patience and finished him off with magic missiles.

Already disoriented [[Tyro]], hit the gong, calling for more trouble. [[Krulla]] stepped into the long corridor and was struck by a lightning bolt. The others couldn’t see what sent it, but [[Krulla]] fell into a rage and charged alone from their sight.

Next thing they knew was unnatural darkness that covered the corridor and muttering of some unholy prayer. Suddenly a vermin appeared out from nowhere attacking [[Smike]], but narrowly missing him. [[Tyro]] was there to finish it off.  They could hear approaching of some creatures and [[Krulla]] fleeing from something in terror. He was visibly in a critical state.

“Go back! Go back! Ruuuun!”

[[Veelas]] couldn’t see anything, so he summoned a hell hound in order to stop or at least slow down whatever was after [[Krulla]]. It indeed slowed a little bit two large lizard-like creatures. But the real danger was coming from an approaching demon. That was the ogre with black wings followed by two mages. The ogre was after [[Krulla]] and [[Thacia]] ran trying to help him. Unfortunately ogre used his freezing breath and froze [[Krulla]] before she managed to reach him. He died on her arms. The rest of the party hailed the ogre with everything they had, but to their horror he didn’t seem being even scratched letting alone wounded. In the moment of desperation [[Veelas]] cast the rope trick and off he went up, followed by [[Pthia]] and [[Thacia]].

[[Tyro]] opted to leave the party, relying on his speed. That left [[Smike]] last in line to climb up the rope.  It seemed for a moment that he made it, but the ogre used it’s wings and caught him before they managed to pull the rope in. [[Veelas]] stung the ogre’s arm with magic missiles, [[Thacia]] with her sword while [[Pthia]] tried to pull poor [[Smike]] from the ogre’s grip. All their efforts were in vain. Wounds healed instantaneously and ogre’s strength was superior to anyone’s in the party. When it looked that [[Smike]] would follow [[Krulla]], [[Thacia]] summoned all her strength and cut off ogre’s arm releasing [[Smike]]. Losing her balance she fell from the rope trick onto ogre who squashed [[Smike]] below him. Resilient as he always was, [[Smike]] managed to pull himself out from beneath the ogre, just to see it’s hand crawling towards the torso. He took the arm, or better to say grappled it, for it was almost his size and resisting. In the meantime [[Thacia]] was chopping the ogre that was laying down unconscious.

Two half-orc mages were approaching levitating above celestial bison that [[Veelas]] summoned a minute ago. This time he summoned celestial hippogriff, which decapitated the first mage. Levitating didn’t help like with the bison. [[Smike]] who torched the arm, sent the fireball that took away remaining mage and one of the trolls that joined the battle. That’s the problem with trolls. Fire is lethal to them, but they regenerate from normal attacks. [[Thacia]] obviously never met one before, so she charged and chopped his head off, only to see him in her disbelief taking it in his hands and putting back on the neck. [[Pthia]] sent her flame and disposed of the troll in two blows. The fog of war was clearing from the corridor that was covered with blood, dead bodies and smoke. 

The party started searching bodies. [[Pthia]] went to the remote mage that was killed by [[Smike]]’s fireball, when enormous stone ball hit her from the right side passage. It was thrown by a giant that was attracted by the sound of the battle. The party didn’t have appetite for another encounter hence they tactically fled back into the rope trick taking [[Krulla]]’s corpse with them.
They looked each other in silence. The party of six became the party of four exhausted comrades. They had bruises and bleeding wounds all over their bodies. They were burnt, covered with blood of all colours. Their weapons and armour were damaged and they didn’t know what was going to wait for them when they go out. But for the moment they were grateful for being alive and safe for next fourteen hours. After [[Thacia]] and [[Pthia]] healed as much wounds as they could, the party fell to sleep. Not even [[Smike]] made any of his usual remarks.

===== April 7 =====

==== 5am ====

  * find room with dead gnoll. Hear hammering from beyond double doors
  * head comes floating //'through//' doors. Doors burst open behind & 6 blades float through after, attacking [[Thacia]].
  * [[Thacia]]'s blade passes through head. But [[Pthia]] kills //blade spirit// with spiritual weapon.
  * [[Smike]] finds on gnoll 13gp + stuff. Take mw full plate, mw heavy mace (none magic)
  * [[Thacia]] drops bastard sword & takes mw greataxe
  * plan to return W but remember loot here
  * back towards W gate complex
  * [[Thacia]] finds blue-green square stone with "Waves pound relentlessly" written on it, but [[Smike]] doesn't detect any magic & [[Veelas]] thinks it's cheap. Could be pass key?
  * move on to mage's quarters, find 2 spellbooks
  * [[Veelas]] opens book, rune explodes, hurts
  * [[Thacia]] finds 3rd book
  * [[Veelas]] summons unseen servant to open 2nd book, same thing, loses servant but we're ok
  * 3rd book is old record of [[History of the Temple of Elemental Evil]] (about 20 years old). Bring with us.

==== 6am ====

  * [[Smike]] & [[Veelas]] read 3rd book: [[History of the Temple of Elemental Evil]] (Apr 7, 02)
  * note: [[Lareth]] the Beautiful resurrected by [[Hederack]], living in [[Nulb]] or [[Hommlet]]
  * also find cmw potion, take & continue
  * come across portcullis & lever, it's a dinosaur cage
  * next: trolls quarters, find 1208sp, 3 smoke sticks, med mw chainmail, rolled up map (from temple to troll lair, ~10 miles, labelled "hom")

==== 7am ====

  * [[Smike]] invisible, explores bridge. Casts detect magic & steps out on bridge. Goes 100ft and finds nothing. Returns.
  * continue NW
  * find 20 mw arrows
  * continue past door (rm 37)
  * 2 arms reach out, try to grab [[Veelas]], miss
  * 2 trolls. We "dissect" them and torch remains
  * ropetrick, rest, [[Veelas]] identifies dbl-bladed axe +1, hide armour +1, potion of blur

==== 5pm ====

  * [[Pthia]] sends message to [[Cannoness]] based on history we found: //[[Lareth]] the Beautiful resurrected. Hiding at [[Nulb]]. Knows real masters [[Temple of Elemental Evil]]. [[Tharzidun]] unveiled [[Dreaming Stone]].//
  * [[Cannoness]] replies: //Received message. Distressing news. Was my hammer that fell killing blow. Do not know of [[Dreaming Stone]]. Will investigate further. Gods' peace, sister.//
  * continue NW, find body of large "antman", continue...encounter live antman
  * [[Pthia]] mesmerized, attacks [[Thacia]]
  * [[Thacia]] charges, tears it apart in 1 blow (80 damage!)
  * find 180gp (red gold), 435 sp, mw scimitar (nonmagic)
  * [[Pthia]] still confused, [[Thacia]] pins, [[Veelas]] manacles until effect wears off
  * continue, along SW path
  * [[Thacia]] falls in pit. Another //umber hulk// jumps out at us, attacks [[Pthia]].
  * [[Smike]] confused
  * [[Thacia]] climbs out
  * [[Veelas]] realizes we need to avoid gaze, scorches, kills u.h.
  * [[Smike]] attacks [[Veelas]], misses
  * party manacles [[Smike]] until normal
  * find 1223gp, 1546sp, 100gp gem, 100gp copper statue, 150gp jeweled brooch, 2x100gp candlesticks, 1 [[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/rings.htm#climbing|Ring of Climbing]]

==== 6pm ====

  * back to big cave, lots of fungus
  * encounter rm with more mushrooms & powder puffs. [[Smike]] suspicious, fireballs puffs. Giant mushroom (//violet fungus//) burnt, find 2 dwarf skeletons with 2x 45-50gp nonmagic rings
  * continue N, another big cave with small cave back to E. Search small cave, collapses! Barely escape.
  * next opening to W. Explore. Surprised by monster, sprays us with acid, but we defeat it
  * continue, hear splash in water behind
  * continue cautiously. Opening to W.
  * find large cave with conveyer & ore cart, railway leads NW.
  * [[Smike]] climbs to top of platform. Looks like ceiling was being mined.
  * continue along railway NW

<div right tip>Session \\ 2006-09-09</div>

==== 7pm ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG75.jpg}}

  * [[Smike]] climbs down from platform
  * acid cloud encompasses party, young green dragon "[[Vanthras]]" emerges from N rail tunnel
  * [[Smike]] lightning bolts (first lightning!) repeatedly
  * [[Thacia]] wounds
  * [[Veelas]] summons celestial hippogriff & magic missiles
  * [[Smike]] finishes with a final lightning
  * [[Pthia]] heals all except [[Smike]] who animorphs repeatedly
  * [[Veelas]] rope tricks, [[Thacia]] & [[Smike]] go up
  * [[Pthia]] & [[Veelas]] uses lighted arrows to investigate N tunnel, don't see anything
  * [[Pthia]] invisibles [[Veelas]] who flies in N tunnel, notices passage to W, then join others in rope trick

===== Apr 8 =====

(3 days after [[Krulla]] died)

==== 5am ====

  * party rested and fed
  * search dragon, don't find anything, [[Smike]] takes piece of scale
  * destroy dragon's remains

==== 6am ====

=== Smike's sojourn (Apr 8, 6am) ===

[[Smike]] wasn't a greedy gnome. But he never could resist the lure of magic. It was a drug to him. It had been ever since his uncle Needlebit showed him that Neverstop(tm) spinning top in the store window when he was a gnomeling. [[Smike]] still felt pangs of guilt about that; //But they shouldn't have left the thing twirling away there on display for anybody to grab if they didn't want it taken, should they? All glittery and precessing about in endless complex patterns...what did they expect?// The damn thing was still spinning away in the back of his sock drawer back home to this day.

So when [[Veelas]] wondered aloud about the prospect of the dragon's lair in the darkness ahead, can we be surprised at [[Smike]]'s response?

"I'll go check it out! ...I mean, I'm sure it's nothing and...and...I wouldn't want to put you at needless risk and...all that."

[[Smike]] quietly crept into the dark tunnel. He needed the cover of dark to execute his plan. Once out of sight of the party he evoked the power of the magicks he had been practicing. Immediately, he felt his skin itch and bubble. Resisting the urge to scratch, he completed the [[http://www.giantitp.com/Func0012.html|spell]]. In a brief moment of panic he felt his bones deform and realign, along with sinews and organs. His snout (it could no longer be called a nose) stretched out in front of him and huge, hairy ears shifted to the top of his head. He could feel his hand slipping down the wall of the cave as it too changed shape: his fingers elongated and webbed. His tunic melded into his body and formed a loose flap joining his arms to his waist.

After a moment's disorientation, [[Smike]] opened his eyes to darkness. //What the devils? I thought I'd be able to see?// he muttered under his breath.

"Squeeek!"

[[Smike]] grinned inwardly as the noise echoed off the walls and returned to him: the cave took shape in his mind and he knew where he had to go. Just one more hurdle...[[Smike]] the bat jumped into the air and unsteadily flapped his wings. {{ Crash and burn the first time?}}With every flap he grew more comfortable with the motion and proceeded down the corridor, calling out to "see" his way.

[[Smike]] considered returning to the party to pester and trick them. [[Veelas]] would be green with envy at this new spell! But why give away his newly acquired talent? That wouldn't help anyone--least of all himself. So he regrettfully turned west, into the opening [[Veelas]] had described, and returned his attention to his current task. As he suspected it turned out to be a closed cavern, with no other moving objects.

After circling twice he settled down on the ground and dismissed his bat-shape. Again, the sensation of bubbling skin, deforming bones, stretching muscles, and a few moments later he found himself, panting, crouched on the cavern floor. [[Smike]] stood up and listened carefully but all he could hear was his own breathing. He suspected it would have been a roar to his bat ears.

Pulling out his flamed copper, [[Smike]] peered around the gloom of the cave. {{ DM's description?}}To the south east a glint caught his eye--//Ahh, there it is!// Dragons were well known for their treasure hoard and it appeared this one was no different. [[Smike]] approached to find a small, metallic pyramid floating, slowly circling in space. //This must have been the pride of his collection!// [[Smike]] surmised. He could detect a strong magick emanating from the object.

This was why he was here, why he had risked venturing out alone to explore the lair, why he was out on this adventure at all--to discover and harness powerful enchantments. [[Smike]] carefully reached out and grasped the pyramid. No need for the party to know of this--let them have the rest of the treasure (except for his portion, of course). As his hand closed on the floating object he was surprised by the smoothness of the the cold metal. It was difficult to grip; as [[Smike]] attempted to transfer the pyramid to his pocket it suddenly slipped out of his hand, and fell to the ground.

"Uh-oh."

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG127.jpg}}

As a dark gash formed in the the space in front of him, [[Smike]] finally realized the truth: the pyramid wasn't //part// of the treasure, it was guarding it. The tear grew to tower over him and [[Smike]] could see two red eyes moving towards him. Out through the gash--which resealed behind it--leaped an enormous black gorilla. Except it wasn't a gorilla. To the best of [[Smike]]'s recollections, gorillas only have two arms. This "girallon" had four, each wider around than [[Smike]] himself. Covered in black, scraggly fur and with a blood-encrusted maw, it stood about 10 feet tall.

For a moment it didn't notice the tiny gnome that barely reached it's knees. [[Smike]] didn't wait for it to see him. He needed aid, immediately. //Help!// he whispered directly into the minds of his party, just before morphing back into a bat. The girallon roared, seeing the movement below him and clapped his lower arms...directly in the empty space where [[Smike]]'s head had been a moment earlier.

The expression "Like a bat out of hell!" has never been so aptly invoked. [[Smike]]-bat flapped his wings in a panicked delirium, not even noticing [[Thacia]] and [[Pthia]] as they charged in.

  * [[Thacia]] & [[Pthia]] charge, kill with help from re-gnomified [[Smike]]
  * party finds treasure hoard behind pyramid, counts

<div right tip>Session \\ 2006-09-16</div>

==== 7am ====

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG107.jpg}}

  * continue exploring along tracks
  * come to big cave w/ crossover tracks below
  * go down, explore S along lower tracks into next room
  * huge "Clang!", [[Veelas]] deafened

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG216.jpg}}

  * ettin (2-headed giant) & rust monster (pet) storm out from E, attack [[Thacia]]
  * rust monster hits [[Thacia]]'s (magic!) shield, rusts to dust, monster slurps up
  * [[Smike]] lightning bolts rust monster, kills
  * ettin maddened, charges [[Smike]], almost overrunning [[Pthia]] who barely evades
  * ettin hits [[Smike]] once before [[Thacia]] comes up from behind and runs him through
  * [[Smike]] takes piece from rust monster, searches both bodies, finds nothing
  * [[Thacia]] grabs other mw shield from loot
  * [[Veelas]] agrees to continue (still deafened, communicate by writing)
  * in next cave (E) find ettin's loot, count

==== 8am ====

  * continue SE, find end of track @ water's edge
  * jellyfish(?) jumps out & attacks
  * vanquish w/ fire
  * go back & explore other branch (S)
  * find pool across room, see far shore (barely)
  * [[Veelas]] lights arrow & [[Pthia]] shoots to far shore
  * don't see anything so go back to dbl-railtrack room
  * go N along lower track, find passage to E, ends
  * continue N, narrow branch to W w/ steps up
  * climb up single file: [[Thacia]], [[Pthia]], [[Veelas]] (still deaf), & [[Smike]]
  * [[Thacia]] sets off trap, green slime pours down
  * first three evade but [[Smike]] hit w/ full force
  * slime burns into skin, [[Smike]] tries to get out of clothes, takes Con damage
  * [[Thacia]] tries to protect w/ Resist Energy spell, no effect
  * [[Pthia]] figures it out, only fire or ice will harm
  * [[Smike]], weakened by Con damage, succumbs to ettin's attack (ribs spontaneously break?)
  * [[Pthia]] creates Wall of Fire, burns off slime
  * [[Thacia]] lays on hands to heal [[Smike]]
  * [[Smike]] critically wounded but alive (lost 13 Con!)
  * up rope trick, rest

==== 6pm ====

  * [[Pthia]] restores [[Smike]] to full Con

<div right tip>Session \\ 2006-09-24</div>

{{ http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG23.jpg}}

  * [[Smike]] borrows black robes, cuts down to size & ties up (lost most equip)
  * continue W up stairs ([[Smike]] lightless)
  * find rails, head N w/ [[Veelas]]' unseen servant "Baldric" leading
  * opens up wider, continue
  * see passage to E, follow "Baldric" in, who's carrying [[Veelas]]' flamed copper
  * go N then branch to E
  * see gnoll statue, continue
  * opens into cavern running N
  * [[Thacia]] sees basilisk, turns to stone
  * [[Pthia]] avoids gaze, creates [[http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/wallofFire.htm|wall of fire]] to block
  * [[Smike]] tries twice to dispel magic on [[Thacia]]...no effect
  * [[Veelas]] summons hippogrif & snake behind wall (can't see)
  * plan: [[Smike]] animorphs into bat, [[Pthia]] drops wall, [[Veelas]] destroys flamed copper
  * problem: eyes glow in dark, but petrifying gaze seems to have limited range
  * [[Pthia]] attacks with spiritual weapon, [[Smike]] magic missiles (silent & still spell feats), kill
  * [[Smike]] returns to normal
  * what to do with [[Thacia]]? She weighs ~250lbs and can't recall her mount to get [[Krulla]]'s corpse back
  * [[Royal University]] in [[Corymir]] or [[Byrne]] in [[Hommlet]] may be able to help
  * [[Veelas]], as invisible bat, flies up corridor to look for more danger, is ok
  * rope trick

===== Apr 9 =====

(4 days after [[Krulla]] died, 1 day after [[Thacia]] petrified)

==== 5am ====

  * [[Pthia]] seeks divine guidance, is inspired to ask [[Cannoness]] to ask [[Byrne]] for scroll (to be teleported?)
  * we're gonna "play" until [[Pthia]]'s ready
  * N to West gate
  * capture guard, force him to leave. He drops [[Friend to Party - Apr 7, 02|warning note]]
  * go N to see what's new
  * [[Pthia]] continual flames copper for [[Veelas]] (now have 2)
  * see (rm 232) Earth temple has been taken over by Water temple
  * continue N (to rm 224)
  * w/o warning, [[Smike]] smashed to ground, doesn't see anything
  * [[Smike]] dispels magic on area, no effect
  * [[Veelas]] hastes party
  * [[Smike]] detects magic in area--none. Runs (to get to more confined space). Clotheslined.
  * [[Pthia]] tries turning undead (ghost?). No effect.
  * [[Smike]] fireballs area, catches glimpse of something in blast
  * [[Pthia]] creates wall of fire to protect [[Veelas]] who has run N
  * [[Veelas]] ropetricks (but party can't see)
  * [[Smike]] fireballs, sees portal close...was summoned creature? Probably the one mentioned in [[Friend to Party - Apr 7, 02|warning note]]
  * [[Pthia]] drops wall; [[Veelas]], injured, comes down; [[Pthia]] heals

<div right tip>Session \\ 2006-10-03</div>

==== 6am ====

  * Baldric out front w/ lit copper. Continuing N toward [[Earth Temple]]
  * find 2 steel barrels, one brine & one algae. Don't know what for. Continue N
  * at branch make noise w/ Baldric as decoy (carrying light)
  * meet 7 frogmen from water temple
  * try to make a deal with us to gang up on fire temple. [[Pthia]] has moral uncertainty, goes off to meditate.
  * meanwhile, [[Veelas]] & [[Smike]] agree to plan, to be carried out @ 2am on Apr 11 ("hour of despair")
  * frogmen give us powder to eat that is supposed to protect from fire
  * frogmen will attack from N, we're supposed to attack from S
  * separate, we travel back S (W)
  * [[Pthia]] overheard our deception, can't agree to aid frogmen, nor to betray them, in the end we decide to ignore plans and help [[Thacia]]. (Let the temples destroy each other.)
  * on way back to [[Thacia]] notice we're being tailed by frogman leader
  * [[Veelas]] invisibles [[Smike]] who bat-ifies and flies quietly back to find tail
  * [[Smike]] can't find at first, detects magic to no effect, then sees him hiding in shadows
  * [[Smike]] de-bats, yells (still invisible) at frogman to yield, but he runs past [[Smike]]
  * [[Smike]] & [[Pthia]] chase down and dispatch so he can't alert water temple of our deception
  * find red cinnamon powder (non-magic). Don't know what it's for

==== 7am ====

  * back at [[Thacia]]'s statue
  * rest

==== 5pm ====

  * [[Pthia]] sends message to [[Cannoness]] re: need to help [[Thacia]]. [[Cannoness]] replies: will investigate
  * wait 6 hours

==== 11pm ====

  * tired of waiting
  * [[Veelas]] creates floating disc, load [[Thacia]] on board
  * head out W gate, going back to [[Rastor]]

===== Apr 10 =====

(5 days after [[Krulla]] died, 2 day after [[Thacia]] petrified)

==== 7am ====

  * message from [[Cannoness]]: help will meet us at [[Gray Lodge]] in [[Rastor]]
  * ~2 days forced march to [[Rastor]]

===== Apr 11 =====

(6 days after [[Krulla]] died, 3 day after [[Thacia]] petrified)

==== 11pm ====

  * arrive in [[Rastor]], go to [[Gray Lodge]]
  * find [[Calmer]] ([[Cannoness]]' aide) and [[Xaod]] the Slayer (sober!). Teleported here by [[Cannoness]]. Bring scroll from [[Byrne]].
  * give up 3000gp in loot for Stone to Flesh scroll
  * [[Veelas]] incants, [[Thacia]] revived!
  * [[Xaod]] & [[Calmer]] will have to trek back to [[Hommlet]]

<div right tip>Session \\ 2006-10-29</div>

===== Apr 12 =====

(7 days after [[Krulla]] died)

==== 12am ====

  * [[Thacia]] calls back [[Aya]] w/ [[Krulla]] still on back, cuts off [[Krulla]] & soothes
  * [[Krulla]] appears serene, preserved (even though gentle repose wore off a day ago)
  * we rest in rope trick
